More bills to help the military

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:25:43 -0400

Several more bills are aimed at helping veterans.

As previously noted, the state legislature is considering a number of proposals to help current and former members of the military.

A few more recently filed bills would:

* Encourage state and local government to use small contractors who are veterans;

* Exempt pay to National Guard members and reservists from the state income tax;

* Create a special license plate for graduates of U.S. military academies;

* Fund an N.C. Military Business Center office in Boone;

* Get Medicaid funds for traumatic brain injuries; and

* Study mental health services for veterans.

Bill would help wounded soldiers

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:37:36 -0400

A bill would help soldiers with brain injuries.

Rep. Grier Martin, a Raleigh Democrat who served in Afghanistan, said he filed the bill to help veterans who fall through the cracks of the military health care system.

Currently, the state's Medicaid system pays for traumatic brain injuries suffered up to the age of 21, which are considered developmental disabilities.

But Martin said that leaves out a lot of veterans.

"For the most part, if you're a soldier and you get (traumatic brain injury) in combat, you're aged out of that," he said.

Though many get care while on active duty through the Department of Defense and later through the Veterans administration, some can't make it to those hospitals.

The bill would direct state government to apply for a waiver from Medicaid to help people 22 and older with brain injuries.

HB737-09

More bills to help the military

Bill would help wounded soldiers